January 9, 2013

Anthony Dasher
Managing Editor

As expected, Chris Wilson has been named the new defensive line coach at Georgia, Bulldog head coach Mark Richt announced Wednesday.

Wilson replaces Rodney Garner who accepted a position at Auburn over two weeks ago.

"Chris is a tremendous teacher, outstanding recruiter, mentor and brings a wealth of knowledge in coaching the defensive line to our program," said Richt in a statement. "He has an extensive background not only as a position coach but also as a coordinator and is a very solid fit with what we do on defense. Just as important, Chris is a great role model as a father and husband. He and his wife, Tina, are awesome people and along with their children, Colby and Caleb, will be outstanding additions to our football family."

Wilson spent the past three seasons at Mississippi State where he served as the team's defensive coordinator, co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.

Under Wilson?s leadership, Mississippi State improved in seven major statistical categories in 2011, while ranking 16th nationally in scoring defense (19.7 points per game).

Prior to coming to MSU, Wilson spent five years as the defensive line coach at his alma mater at Oklahoma. He's also coached at Indiana State (linebackers, 1993-94), Northern Illinois (linebackers, 1995), Illinois State (defensive line, 1997-99), Colorado (defensive line, 200-04) before moving on to Oklahoma (defensive ends/special teams coordinator, 2005-09).

"Our family is excited to have the opportunity of coaching at one of the top institutions in college football," said Wilson in a statement. "I'm looking forward to being part of the Georgia program and putting all our energy and effort into winning games and championships which I know is the goal of all those in the Georgia football family."

Among the players Wilson has coached, including former MSU All-American defensive lineman Fletcher Cox, the 12th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft (Philadelphia); Oklahoma's DE Jeremy Beal (2009), two-time All-Big 12 and team leader in sacks and tackles-for-loss; Oklahoma?s All-Big 12 DE Auston English (2007); and Sooner Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and Holiday Bowl MVP C.J. Ah You (2005).

During his years in Norman, Wilson coached defensive ends at Oklahoma and, for the last three years of his tenure, also served as special teams coordinator. In 2009, Oklahoma's defensive front finished eighth nationally against the run, allowing only 92 yards per game and posted the sixth-most sacks in the country."

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